Chapter 54: Chilling Winds Entering the Dream

Military agricultural officials are more versatile than ordinary agricultural officials because their selection process is far more rigorous.

Those who know how to farm do not necessarily know how to fight, but military agricultural officials who know how to fight definitely know how to farm!

Within the entire Ministry of Agriculture, the only person capable of teaching the spells of Yin Wind and Ice Rain was Chen Shijie.

Because he was formerly a military agricultural official, categorized among the "military officers," and was only transferred back to the rear to serve as a "civil official" later due to certain reasons.

"You really are timber for a military agricultural official. You haven't even entered the official ranks or received the divine temple's empowerment yet, and you've already comprehended Yin Wind and Ice Rain."

The next day, upon hearing this news, Chen Shijie was quite pleased, feeling that his judgment had not been mistaken.

"Once elementary spells reach the seventh tier, there is a chance to comprehend intermediate spells."

"If elementary spells reach the ninth revolution, the power of their corresponding intermediate spells will also increase."

"Therefore, if you want to master Yin Wind, Ice Rain, and Summoning Lightning, you cannot let your elementary spells fall behind; they can corroborate one another."

"The firmer your foundation, the easier it will be for you to comprehend them."

After giving a brief explanation, Chen Shijie began a live demonstration. "The normal wind-summoning spell usually produces 'Yang Wind,' which always comes from the heavens. Even when cast in the dead of winter, it is still considered 'Yang Wind.'"

Chen Shijie beckoned, and a warm breeze encircled Zhao Xing.

"Heaven is Yang and Earth is Yin; Yin Wind, on the other hand, comes from beneath the earth."

Before Chen Shijie's voice had even faded, a cold gale swept up from below, enveloping Zhao Xing's entire body as if trying to blow away his very soul.

No matter how he circulated his vital blood or stirred his primordial energy, it was completely useless.

"Yang wind can be blocked by the physical body, armor, and magic robes, but Yin wind renders most defensive treasures ineffective, leaving one's soul to bear it purely by brute force."

"Of course, those with a stronger physical body also have a stronger Yang soul and better resistance. But even an official-ranked martial artist, when struck by this Yin wind, cannot help but shiver uncontrollably, drastically reducing their control over their body."

"In severe cases, it can directly blow a person's soul out of their physical shell, turning them into a wandering ghost. This spell is far too malevolent; aside from military agricultural officials, other agricultural officials generally cannot learn it, and even if they could, the imperial court would not pass it down."

"To learn the Yin Wind spell, you must first know how to capture the subterranean earth-vein Yin wind."

Chen Shijie withdrew that thread of Yin wind, and a warmth then flowed within Zhao Xing's body to help him recover.

"You have studied the spells of the Geopolitical School, so getting started should be quite simple. Now, try exploring using the method of earth-vein primordial integration, and then summon the wind from beneath the earth."

Zhao Xing nodded, and then a strand of primordial energy from his fingertips sank into the ground.

According to the theories of the Five Elements and Earthly Branches, wind restrains earth, earth generates wood, and wood generates wind. However, the power of earth veins can also operate in reverse against the Five Elements—meaning earth generates wind, wood generates earth, and wind generates wood.

If he wanted to summon wind from the earth veins, he had two choices: the first was to use primordial energy to reverse the power of the earth veins, which could easily summon wind, but since he had not yet mastered the basics, he could not do it as effortlessly as Chen Shijie.

The second choice was to capture the naturally occurring Yin-attribute power within the earth veins. Simply mobilizing it upward rather than going against the principles of the Five Elements' generation and restraint would be much easier.

His first strand of primordial energy entered the soil, but it was completely exhausted before it could detect any Yin-attribute power.

Seeing this, Chen Shijie joked, "Don't be impatient; a man's first time is always somewhat unsatisfactory."

"..." Zhao Xing was not only speechless; what on earth was that supposed to mean?

Yet, growing accustomed to Chen Shijie's personality, he acted as if he hadn't heard and unleashed a second strand of primordial energy.

The second strand of primordial energy was once again completely exhausted, and the wind-summoning failed yet again.

It wasn't that Zhao Xing lacked skill; it was purely because the earth veins inside Gucheng were relatively stable and difficult to capture.

Coupled with the intense heat that lingered even after the White Dew solar term, Yang energy flourished while Yin energy declined, making it even harder to summon Yin wind from beneath the earth.

The best solar term for practicing the [Yin Wind] spell was "Major Cold" or "Minor Cold," followed by "Pure Brightness."

If one truly missed these solar terms, practicing at night was best.

"Forget it, it's no use for you right now. You can try again at night," Chen Shijie smiled. "As long as you understand the principles behind the spell, that's enough."

Zhao Xing, however, turned a deaf ear. If old Chen hadn't mocked him, he wouldn't have been so stubborn, but Chen Shijie actually said he wasn't up to it.

Could a man ever admit that he wasn't capable?

Seeing this, Chen Shijie stopped trying to persuade him and leisurely strolled into the study for an afternoon nap.

Zhao Xing continued to squat on the ground, trying over and over again.

The midday sun was blazing, yet Zhao Xing felt no fatigue. Whenever he felt thirsty, he ate a piece of Tianyuan Pear; whenever his primordial energy was exhausted, he ate another.

Having reached the fourth tier of primordial condensation, he was already capable of rapidly digesting the Tianyuan Pear.

"The fluctuations of earth veins usually manifest as Yang rather than Yin. I must be more focused and patient to capture the Yin-attribute power within the earth veins." Zhao Xing simply sprawled flat on the ground, pressing all five fingers deep into the earth.

Before falling asleep, Chen Shijie glanced out the window and couldn't help smiling when he saw Zhao Xing showing such a complete disregard for his image.

As the saying goes, when there is light in one's eyes, everything looks pleasing. He didn't think Zhao Xing was being stubborn; instead, he felt that Zhao Xing possessed a resolute heart.

"When the General sees him, he will surely be very happy too," Chen Shijie muttered to himself, closing the window and lying down on the bamboo mat to rest his eyes.

Dim lighting, a congealed atmosphere.

"You damned, wicked spawn! You brought your father and mother to an early grave with your bad luck, and now you've come to plague us?" A distorted woman's face appeared before Chen Shijie.

"If you still have a shred of conscience, run out on your own tonight and never show your face in front of us again!"

"Our family is definitely not going to raise you! Did you hear me? I'm talking to you, you little wretch!"

"Auntie, it hurts..."

A chipped bowl, a cold steamed bun.

"Hey, where did you come from, and do you know the rules? How dare you beg for food on our turf?!"

"My name is Chen Shijie, from Chen Village in Xishan County..."

"I don't care where you're from! Brothers, beat him up!"

"Clatter~"

The broken bowl fell to the ground, and the steamed bun gradually became stained with red.

"Lord Chen, Lord Chen? Old Chen, what's wrong with you!"

Chen Shijie felt someone shaking him.

"Hah!"

He abruptly sat bolt upright, startlingly awake from his dream.

A dense wave of murderous intent surged outward, his fingers curling into a sword strike aimed at Zhao Xing.

Thump, thump, thump~

Zhao Xing retreated several steps, rubbing his shoulder with a mixture of shock and uncertainty.

Damn it, old Chen, you aren't actually going to pull off that dream-assassination trick, are you?

"Hm? It's you." Chen Shijie came to his senses, pulling back his strength at the very last moment. The primordial energy at his fingertips spun around and returned into his body. "What—what are you doing inside my room?"

"I summoned a strand of Yin wind from the ground and blew it at you," Zhao Xing explained. "You were the one who said I could use you for practice. I thought you weren't asleep yet; I didn't expect it would give you a nightmare..."

Only then did Chen Shijie realize that this brat was the one who had played this trick!

Zhao Xing's Yin wind hadn't been able to shake his soul, but it had indeed given him a nightmare.

"A nightmare? Who says I had a nightmare?" Chen Shijie scoffed. "With that little trick of yours, you still can't affect me. In the future, don't just casually approach a sleeping military agricultural official. It's fortunate that I managed to control myself this time, otherwise your shoulder would be hurting a lot more than just a little. Lesson's over for today, go back and practice on your own."

"Understood, I'll keep it in mind." Zhao Xing cupped his fists in salute and took his leave.

Watching Zhao Xing's receding figure, Chen Shijie couldn't help curling his lip. This fellow was progressing truly fast; the midday hour hadn't even ended, yet he had actually succeeded in summoning Yin wind?

Hmph, he'd better praise him less often from now on; this kid was getting a bit full of himself—to actually call him old Chen to his face?